Electric discharge device



March 27, 1928.

J. ALLEN ELECTRIC DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed June 16, 1926 James JZZZen g5 e. li. 5

Patented ,Mar. 27, 1928.

UNITED STATES JAMES ALLEN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ELECTRIC DISCHARGE D EVICE.

Application filed June 16,

The present invention relates to electrical apparatus, and more particularly to an improved method and means for the production of an electric current from heat.

It is well known that if the electrodes of a conducting system be placed in a vacuum tube, and one of the electrodes be heated a small but measurable current Wlll. flow. If, however, the electrodes are placed under the influence of directing electrodes, in other words charged bodies, the current Wlll be augmented. And if the conductlng system be given a negative charge, the current will be further increased.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device which is constructed and operated upon this theory and which is practi; cal and economical in its operation.

YVith the foregoing and other objects 1n view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View of a tube constructed according to the present invention, and wherein the filament is heated electrically.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing a moditfication disclosing the cathode arranged to be heated by a flame or radiant heat, and

Figure 3 is a further modified diagram showing a different arrangement of the cathode to be heated.

Referring now to the drawing, and first to Figure 1, 1O designates the wall of a vacuum tubeof any suitable construction and which is equipped with a plate 11, a cathode 12, a circuit wire 13 connecting the plate and filament at the exterior of the tube 10,

and 14 designates a galvanometer interposed in the circuit wire 13 for indicating the direction and force of the current which passes through the wire 13 and across from filament to plate.

According to this form of the invention, the cathode 12 is heated by means of electricity induced by a battery orexciter 15 connected by wires 16 and 17, to opposite ends of the filament'12 to include the filament in circuit with the battery 15. The current from the battery raises the temperature of the filament 12 and causes the same to more readily give off the electrons which 1926. Serial No. 116,477.

are absorbed by the plate 11 to thus induce an electric current through the conducting system. The current is measured by the galvanometer 14.

For the purpose of augmenting and re moving resistance to the flow of current between the filament and plate, the tube 10 is provided at one side of the plate, remote from the cathode 12, with a directing elec-' trode 18 in the form of a positively charged body which may be in circuit, through a wire 19. A second directing electrode 20 is arranged within the tube 10, and directly beneath the plate 11. This electrode 20 is given a negative charge, so as to have a charge opposite that of the directing electrode-18. The negatively charged electrode 20 is connected by a wire 21 to a suitable source of energy.

The tube 10 is also provided, in its side opposite the positively charged electrode 18, with a second negatively charged electrode 22, which is disposed lengthwise of and spaced from the filament 12, and is remote from the plate 11. This electrode 22 may be connected by a Wire 23 with a suitable source of energy, not shown. The imparting of a negative charge to the metallic conductors 21 and 23 increases the current between the electrodes 11 and 12.

It is evident that the directing electrodes 18, 20 and 22 may have charges varying in potential so that the potential and surface densities of the conducting electrodes 11 and 12 may be determined. It is evident that the metallic conductor may be at zero potential orhave a high negative charge. The tube 10 may be of high or low vacuum, gas or electron type. The conducting electrodes 11 and 12 are of pure metal or an alloy, and of any convenient form, and may be heated by electricity or the like. i

In Figure 2 is shown a means of heating the cathode by the direct application of flame or radiant heat. In this form of the invention the cathode 24 is arranged at one side of the tube 10 and preferably projects through such side and provided at its outer edge portion with a. layer of crucible material 25 adapted to receive a flame or radiant heat thereagainst for conducting the heat to the cathode and raising the temperature of the latter. The effect of heatin the cathode 24 by flame is similar to the e ect obtained by heating the filament 12 by the electric current from the battery 15, shown in Figure 1, the cathode giving u more readily the electrons which are absor ed by the plate 11.

Another arrangement of the directing electrodes and of the crucible material on the cathode, is shown in Figure 3. In this structure the tube 10 is provided with the directin electrode 22 negatively charged, as disclosed in Figure 1, but which is separated from the cathode 26 by a body of dielectric material 27. The cathode 26 is enclosed in a .wall or thickness of crucible material 28, which exposes only the inner side of the cathode 26 which faces toward the plate 11. In this construction the cathode 26 is heated by direct contact of heat radiations with the crucible jacket or covering 28, and at the same time the advantages are derived of providing the two negative directing electrodes 20 and 22. The action produced by this device may be briefly stated as follows The metallic electrodes are naturally in a state of ionization. When the cathode is heated, the ionization is increased. The velocity of the particles is also increased. There is thus more energy evolved in the relatively hot cathode than in the cold anode.

The diflerence in E. M. F. or potential in' volts, is approximately as their relative absolute temperatures.

llhere is between the electrodes a potential electrostatic field masked by the metal conductor as long as the particles are under its influence. As soon, however, as the particles are freed, they are directed thereby into the general ath of the particles between the electro es, so as to augment the current produced.

Under the influence of the negative dis recting electrode, the many orbits or paths of the particles in the cathode are rectilin eated or given a uniform direction in a gas tube so that there is produced volume electrification between the electrodes.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made inthe details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from thespirit thereof, suchchanges and modifications being restricted only by the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is e 1. A vacuum tube comprising a cathode,

an anode, said cathode adapted'to be heated to induce an electric current to flowbetween the cathode and anode, an electrode-adapted to receive a .positive charge and located at one side of the anode, and an electrode adapted to receive a negative chargeand located at one end of the anode for-influencing the direction of the current produced.

2. A vacuum tube comprising a cathode,

an anode, a directing electrode in the tube at one side of the anode and adapted to re-' JAMES ALLEN. 

